Sonia Jagota Interviews Aliah

Aliah lives in the Midlands with her husband and two children Yousif and Ameera. It’s a very special time of the year for this young family as it is the holy month of  Ramadan; when the first verses of the Quran (Islamic holy book) were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This year, Ramadan is from Thursday 23rd April to Saturday May 25th, almost 720 hours long, over four weeks. At the end, Eid-Al-Fitr is a celebration with family, friends and lots of food!

Speaking to Aliah gave me a wonderful insight into what her and her family would usually do during this special month and how they had to adapt during lockdown.

‘‘Ramadan Mubarak,’’ Aliah greeted me with this and explained that it means blessed Ramadan or happy Ramadan.

How do you usually celebrate Ramadan?

‘’Fasting begins at sunrise and ends at sunset. So the meal we have prior to sunrise is called ‘Sehri’ which is as early as 2am-3am. After sunrise you observe fasting and pray five times throughout the day. We open our fast after sunset and this is called ‘Iftar,’ which is just after the fourth prayer ’Maghrib’.

We break our fast with dates followed by a grand meal with friends and family or amongst many at the Mosque. The times change daily according to the time of sunset. As the month progresses you wake up with a stronger mindset. Once you are fasting, you are focused. Your body synchronizes with your mind. I wake up in the morning and make that commitment. My usual day during Ramadan when fasting starts would begin with getting the kids ready for school, doing the school run, going to work and doing our regular daily duties. Fasting should not be an excuse to not work or get on with our daily life.

As we are in lockdown it’s very different now, we are  unable to see friends and family, break our fasts together or go to the Mosque for our special prayers. But it has given me a beautiful opportunity to pray five times a day with real devotion and completely spiritually connect with Allah. It has enabled us to take this month with ease, without the melee. It feels more peaceful, meaningful and relaxed. It’s a blessing in disguise; a once in a lifetime chance to all be home together.

How has Ramadan been at home?

‘’As  a busy mum of two I always had things to do and the children went  to bed at their usual time and would miss a lot of traditions that were happening. Being in school all day meant that they did not see mummy doing her prayers five times a day and thought I was just fasting. Ameera is 8 and Yousif 9 years old, so are still too young to fast but now they wait to have their evening meal with me and my husband and have even woken up in the morning for Sehri. They want to be more involved now, observe me doing my prayers; Yousif has prayed with me too. He has a different insight of this holy month and I have had  more time to explain about Islam.

I always did my prayers before but now, I feel free to completely engross myself. I feel I have completely surrendered to Allah with more commitment. I have less hunger pangs as my concentration is absorbed with Islam. I am reading the Quran, all 30 chapters with more devotion and understanding; asking for forgiveness, cleansing and blessings. Both children are reading the Quran and have made a mosque at home and have an Arabic tutor online but they miss Sunday school at the Mosque with their friends.’’

What do you miss the most during Ramadan in lockdown?

‘’I miss meeting my family and friends, breaking our fast together and shops being open till late. I miss taking the children to the Mosque to open our fast, the communal gathering, special prayers and spiritual environment in the Mosque. But  we are currently seeing our loved ones through Skype, Facetime etc.

We are planning our meals ahead and shopping accordingly and cooking with the children  from scratch rather than buying samosas, spring rolls and kebabs, etc. 

I miss my mum immensely. She lives on her own near London but we are fortunate that friends and neighbours call her and often leave food for her evening meal. Not everyone has access to modern technology so it’s important to show we care and look out for vulnerable people in isolation.

‘Zakhat’ means charity;  time to reflect on those less fortunate and be as charitable as possible during Ramadan… The hunger and thirst remind us of those who don’t have. Islamic TV channels create awareness and appeal for people’s generosity, making it easier to  donate by phone. Yousif asked me to take £30 from his pocket money to give to a charity. Many muslims will miss devoting themselves to the last 10 days of special prayers, ’Tarawee’ at the Mosque but fortunately, many Imams are leading prayers online to offer guidance and unity.

How will you celebrate Eid at home?

I’m glad I was able to get our new clothes for Eid before lockdown and we are looking forward to celebrating at home, staying safe. It will be an Eid like no other!’’